TSMC: 2nm Fab & R&D in Hsinchu

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Chairman, Liu De-yin, recently announced exciting plans for the company's expansion in the Greater China region. In 2023, TSMC will open its new R&D center in Hsinchu Science Park, which is expected to house around 8,000 skilled R&D professionals.

Liu De-yin emphasized the significance of this move, comparing TSMC's global R&D center to the renowned "Bell Labs," where groundbreaking research will shape the semiconductor industry's future for the next two to three decades. TSMC acknowledges the global competition and the rapid pace of technological advancements, and they are committed to relying on their own innovative capabilities.

TSMC is also making progress in setting up the 2nm wafer fab, a crucial development in the industry. The fab will be located in Hsinchu Baoshan and Taichung Science Parks, with a total of six phases. By 2025, TSMC aims to start mass production of the 2nm process.

Excitingly, TSMC has already initiated preliminary operations for the 2nm trial production, incorporating AI systems to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the trial production process.

The 2nm process will feature an entirely new GAA architecture. During the initial R&D phase, a small-scale trial production line will be established in Hsinchu Science Park, followed by full-scale production in Baoshan wafer fab. The N2 process is planned for risk production in 2024, with full-scale production expected in 2025.

Looking ahead, TSMC plans to launch the N2P and N2X of the 2nm family in 2026, attracting top companies like Apple and NVIDIA to be among its early adopters.

TSMC's global R&D center in Hsinchu Baoshan covers an impressive area of approximately 18.7 hectares, offering a dedicated facility for research and development. The center's capacity to accommodate over 8,000 R&D personnel presents an exciting opportunity for innovative advancements in the semiconductor industry.

In summary, TSMC's expansion plans and groundbreaking developments make it an exciting prospect for the future. The company's dedication to research and development, coupled with its global ambitions, will undoubtedly shape the industry's landscape and attract attention across various domains.